Trochanteric plate

ABSTRACT

An elongated plate element extends on the exterior of the femur shaft and the greater trochanter across the adjacent ends. One end of the plate includes a right angle anchor element embedded in the femur shaft and the opposite end includes a pair of outwardly diverging return bend hook elements anchored in the outer end of the trochanter. A bend is provided in the plate element which positions the opposite portions in spaced apart parallel planes. An elongated slot is provided in the plate element and a pin extends through the slot into the femur shaft.

United States Patent [1 1 Getscher et al.

[111 I 3,824,995 [451 Jui 'zs, 1974 TROCHANTERIC PLATE [75] Inventors: Phillip E. 'Getscherr Henry G.

Hesser, both of Lincoln, Nebr.

[73] Assignee: Elizabeth A. Villiers, Lincoln, Nebr.

; a part interest 22 Filed: July 24,1972

21 Appl. No.: 274,562

[52] US. Cl. 128/92 B [51] Int. Cl. A6lf 5/04 [58] Field of Search 128/92 R, 92 B, 92 BA, 128/92 BC, 92 D, 92 G, 83

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 583,455 6/1897 Bush 128/92 D 2,561,550 7/1951 Wright 128/92 D OTHER PUBLICATIONS Fixation of Small Bone Fragments with a Hook Plate" by W. A. Zuelzer, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1951, pp. 430-436.

A New Compression Plate for the McMurray Displacement l-Iip Osteotomy by P. Salenius, Journal Bone & Joint Surgery, 1970, pp. 382-383.

Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorney, Agent, or FirmZarley, McKee & Thomte [5 7] ABSTRACT An elongated plate element extends on the exterior of the femur shaft and the greater trochanter across the adjacent ends. One end of the plate includes a right angle anchor element embedded in the femur shaft and the opposite end includes a pair of outwardly diverging return bend hook elements anchored in the outer end of the trochanter. A bend is provided in the plate element which positions the opposite portions in spaced apart parallel planes. An elongated slot is provided in the plate element and a pin extends through the slot into the femur shaft.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures TROCHANTERIC PLATE The trochanteric plate of this invention is used in a total hip replacement operation where a portion of the trochanter of the thigh bone is being replaced. The object of this operation is to repair the fracture between the trochanter and the femur shaft. I-Ieretofore this operation involved bonding the two bone pieces together utilizing a crude wiring technique wherein vitallium wire is utilized.

In reapplying the trochanter fragment of bone to the shaft of the femur it must be recognized that there is an intense and strong pull of the abductor muscles of the hip at work in maintaining use and function within the hip joint. Furthermore, there is the so-called multiple lines of pull, as is demonstrated by the three major muscles that attach to the trochanter, one from the rear and one from above and one from anteriorly. The three different vectors require fixation so that when this is secured to the shaft the fragment cannot be pulled in any one of the three directions and the plate must be so secure as to prevent these movements.

The trochanteric plate of this invention simply and easily allows for the fastening of the greater trochanter back to the shaft of the femur. This is possible in situations where there has been a fracture of the greater trochanter from the femur and also in cases where the bone has been cut away from the major bone. The pair of hooks at one end with their sharp points are precisely made to fit the trochanter and drive into the bone for fixation to prevent rotation as well as lateral and superior deviation. The small tip that is used at the lower end of the plate fits into a drill hole into the cortex of the shaft and the major fragment so that it cannot be pulled away from the major fragment. A slot is provided in the main plate in the center to allow for insertion of a screw if such is necessary to maintain the plate in close apposition to the major fragment. This pre vents rotation as well as pivoting on the tip that is inserted into the cortex. The use of the trochantoric plate of this invention will allow for the fixing of the greater trochanter so that after various types of surgery about the hip there can be immediate functioning of the hip. The amount of pull on the trochanteric plate is approximately 600 pounds and the fixation must be secure, holding the bone to the major fragment and allowing for healing between the trochanter and the major fragment which occurs over a period of three to four months.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination of the variousv parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the trochanteric plate of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the trochanteric plate in use.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view taken from the right side as viewed in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the trochanteric plate only.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the plate; and

FIG. 6 is a side view thereof.

The trochanteric plate of this invention is referred to generally in FIG. 1 by the reference numeral 10 and in FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown in use fastening the greater trochanter 12 to the shaft 14 of the femur.

The trochanteric plate 10 includes a bend 16 which places oppositely extending portions 18 and 20 in spaced apart parallel planes. A right-angle hook 22 is provided on the free end of the plate portion 20. The plate portion 18 includes longitudinally extending outwardly diverging return bends 24 which in turn include on their outer ends hooks or prongs 26 disposed in a plane parallel to the plate portions 18 and 20. An elongated slot 28 is provided in the plate portion 20 and is adapted to receive a pin 30.

In use it is seen that that prongs 26 with their sharp points are driven into the bone of the trochanter and then the prong or hook 22 at the lower end is fitted into a drill hole 32 in the cortex of the femur shaft. A screw or pin is then positioned in the slot 28 and anchored in the cortex if this is desired or necessary.

It is seen that the outwardly diverging return bend portions 24 and their outer prongs 26 are so spaced apart and positioned over the end of the trochanter that all relative movement between the trochanter and the femur shaft is prevented. This multi-direction holding action cancels out the tendency of the three major muscles tending to act upon the trochanter along multiple lines of pull, one from the rear and one from above and one from anteriorly. This unique holding action prevents the fragment from being pulled in anyone of the three directions. It is also seen that the bend 16 allows the plate to conform and matingly engage the exterior surface of the femur shaft as seen in FIG. 2. It is also apparent that with the points 26 on the return bend portions 24 being in a plane at right angles to the lower end prong 22, the points cannot become disengaged due to the fact that the prong 22 in the drill hole 32 will not allow the plate to move longitudinally. The pin 30, if used, merely keeps the plate snug against the femur bone thereby keeping the pin 22 in the drill hole 32.

While the dimensions in the drawings of the trochanteric plate are approximate they do reflect the general appearance of the preferred embodiment of this invention. The plate is preferably made from one-eighth inch stainless steel material which may be sheared and bent to its desired form. It is one-half inch wide and has an overall length of approximately three and threequarters inches. The anchor pin 30 is three-sixteenths inch in diameter and five sixteenths inch in length.

We claim:

1. A trochanteric plate for fastening the greater trochanter to the shaft of the femur, said plate comprising, an elongated plate element adapted to be placed on the exterior of the femur shaft and trochanter and extend across their meeting ends,

a hook element on one end of said plate element extending at a right angle thereto and adapted to be anchored in said femur shaft, and

a pair of outwardly diverging return bend hook elements on the opposite end of said plate element extending in a plane parallel to the plane of said plate element and adapted to be anchored in the end of said trochanter.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said plate element includes a bend intermediate its ends which positions portions on opposite sides of said bend in parallel spaced apart planes whereby said plate portions and bend are adapted to matingly engage the exterior of said femur shaft and trochanter.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein an anchor pin extends from said plate element and is adapted to be anchored in said femur shaft.

4. The method of fastening the greater trochanter to the shaft of the femur by a trochanteric plate being elongated and having a hook element on one end and a pair of outwardly diverging hook elements on the opposite end of said plate extending perpendicularly to said first hook element, said pair of hook elements including return bends which position the outer end portions of said hook elements in a plane parallel with said plate element, and said plate element includes an elonthe plane of said plate element. 

1. A trochanteric plate for fastening the greater trochanter to the shaft of the femur, said plate comprising, an elongated plate element adapted to be placed on the exterior of the femur shaft and trochanter and extend across their meeting ends, a hook element on one end of said plate element extending at a right angle thereto and adapted to be anchored in said femur shaft, and a pair of outwardly diverging return bend hook elements on the opposite end of said plate element extending in a plane parallel to the plane of said plate element and adapted to be anchored in the end of said trochanter.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said plate element includes a bend intermediate its ends which positions portions on opposite sides of said bend in parallel spaced apart plaNes whereby said plate portions and bend are adapted to matingly engage the exterior of said femur shaft and trochanter.
 3. The structure of claim 1 wherein an anchor pin extends from said plate element and is adapted to be anchored in said femur shaft.
 4. The method of fastening the greater trochanter to the shaft of the femur by a trochanteric plate being elongated and having a hook element on one end and a pair of outwardly diverging hook elements on the opposite end of said plate extending perpendicularly to said first hook element, said pair of hook elements including return bends which position the outer end portions of said hook elements in a plane parallel with said plate element, and said plate element includes an elongated slot extending longitudinally of said plate element; including the steps of driving the outer ends of said pair of hook elements into the outer end of the greater trochanter and positioning the elongated plate over and across the trochanter cut with the hook on said one end being driven into shaft of the femur and a screw fastening means being driven through said slot into the shaft of said femur.
 5. The structure of claim 1 wherein the outer ends of said pair of hook elements extend in a plane parallel to the plane of said plate element. 